19:35 Aintree

Friday 13 May 2022

All17:1517:5018:2519:0019:3520:1020:45

Watch On Racing TV Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 19:37 | Winning time: 6m 23.20s

Exelerator Express^t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 142

11/4

Dual chase winner last term who shaped encouragingly after 6 months off when fifth over C&D 34 days ago. Has to be taken seriously dropped 3 lb now.

Form: 162185-

Wandrin Star^t⁴⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 139

14/1

Low-mileage veteran who posted good Ascot second (3m) 47 days ago. He's one for the shortlist.

Form: 26P/1P2-

Sail Away^t¹²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 135

10/3

Yet to score over fences, but he posted good second of 3 (on back of a wind op) in novice chase at Leicester (22.7f) 121 days ago. In the mix back in handicap company.

Form: 5P9/262-

Empire De Maulde^p,t⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 134| CD

5/1

C&D winner who was having a rare run over hurdles after 4 months off when last at Newcastle in March. Should take a big step forward now.

Form: 122136-

Head To The Stars⁴⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Hugh Nugent⁽³⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 133

20/1

Unreliable sort who recorded a below-par third of 5 in handicap chase at Ludlow (23.8f) 46 days ago. Others appeal more.

Form: P/31623-

Indy Five⁴¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁵⁾| T: David Dennis| OR: 128

18/1

Dual winner at Doncaster and Newbury last term, but he turned in a moody display when pulled up at latter track 41 days ago. Best to look elsewhere.

Form: 51P21P-

Get Out The Gate^t³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 127

8/1

Landed back-to-back Perth handicaps over fences last July, but he's been well below par after an absence on his last two starts at Kelso. More is required.

Form: 1124P6-

Magna Sam⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 122

11/2

Failed in his hat-trick bid after a brace of 3m Musselburgh wins but he still posted a good effort when third at Carlisle in March. In the picture once more.

Form: PP5113-

Royal Magic^p,t⁵⁹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Finn Lambert⁽⁷⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 109

12/1

In excellent form when last seen on the track (scored at Newton Abbot) but he has a 19-month absence to overcome and is also 7 lb out of the handicap.

Form: FP5512/

Non-Runners

Mossy Fen¹¹⁸

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: Christian Williams J: Nick Scholfield

Tile Tapper⁷⁶

Weight: 10-10| Age: 8

T: C Honour J: David Noonan

Forecasts

Exelerator Express (11/4), Sail Away (10/3), Tile Tapper (4/1), Empire De Maulde (5/1), Magna Sam (11/2), Get Out The Gate (8/1), Royal Magic (12/1), Mossy Fen (12/1), Wandrin Star (14/1), Indy Five (18/1), Head To The Stars (20/1)

A case can be made for a few of these, but the most persuasive one is for EXELERATOR EXPRESS who made an eye-catching return from an absence when fifth over C&D last month and can capitalise on a handy-looking mark. Tile Tapper has been off the track since scoring readily at Chepstow in February but is still feared most ahead of in-form duo Sail Away and Magna Sam.